pageswithpayten's review
3.0
Thank you NetGalley, HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter and Kathryn Freeman for gifting me an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!
If you’re in the mood for a slow burn romance, wicked dance moves and a second chance for love, look no further! Strictly Come Dating is the story of Maggie, a divorced, 37 year old, mother of two and Seb, a 27 year old who left life in Australia and moved in with his sister in the UK to support his sick father. They are in completely different times of their lives and the age gap is just inappropriate... right? Strictly Come Dating reminds readers that sometimes getting everything you want in life takes a giant leap of faith.
Personally as a 25 year old with no kids, Ii can’t say I really connected with Maggie. The dancing classes/competition plot was what pulled me in and I really felt like there was so much missing. This book felt LONG and the romance may be one of the slowest burns I’ve read in awhile, but maybe that’s because I didn’t feel invested in Maggie as the main character. I did really like Seb’s character and his relationship with Penny and Tabby was sweet.
If you’re in the mood for a slow burn romance, wicked dance moves and a second chance for love, look no further! Strictly Come Dating is the story of Maggie, a divorced, 37 year old, mother of two and Seb, a 27 year old who left life in Australia and moved in with his sister in the UK to support his sick father. They are in completely different times of their lives and the age gap is just inappropriate... right? Strictly Come Dating reminds readers that sometimes getting everything you want in life takes a giant leap of faith.
Personally as a 25 year old with no kids, Ii can’t say I really connected with Maggie. The dancing classes/competition plot was what pulled me in and I really felt like there was so much missing. This book felt LONG and the romance may be one of the slowest burns I’ve read in awhile, but maybe that’s because I didn’t feel invested in Maggie as the main character. I did really like Seb’s character and his relationship with Penny and Tabby was sweet.
kimberlycarrington's review
4.0
Nuestra reseña en A la cama con... un libro
[Thanks Netgalley for the ebook. This review is my honest opinion but just another opinion, you should read this book and judge it by yourself]
Claro ejemplo de libro que me ha servido de bálsamo en un momento complicadete, me ha alegrado todos y cada uno de los momentos en los que me he puesto a leer. Tanto que le voy a hacer reseña en el blog y ahí os cuento más. Puede que está hinchando la nota por lo bien que me ha venido pero este libro sí ha sido un feel good en toda regla (y con un maromo per-fect-to ❤).
[Eso sí, tira más hacia la chick lit que hacia la romántica por cómo narra los guarrerismos]
[Thanks Netgalley for the ebook. This review is my honest opinion but just another opinion, you should read this book and judge it by yourself]
Claro ejemplo de libro que me ha servido de bálsamo en un momento complicadete, me ha alegrado todos y cada uno de los momentos en los que me he puesto a leer. Tanto que le voy a hacer reseña en el blog y ahí os cuento más. Puede que está hinchando la nota por lo bien que me ha venido pero este libro sí ha sido un feel good en toda regla (y con un maromo per-fect-to ❤).
[Eso sí, tira más hacia la chick lit que hacia la romántica por cómo narra los guarrerismos]
tessa_talks_books's review
4.0
Maggie and her daughters and friends are all big fans of Strictly Come Dancing, a television show where ballroom dancers compete for cash and prizes. Every Saturday night, they all meet up to watch the show together. Seb comes home from Australia and, just for a laugh, joins his sisters Sarah and Alice along with their friend Maggie for the Saturday night ritual. What starts as only a chance to be an obnoxious kid brother turns into a life-altering event for Seb and Maggie.
What I Liked
What I liked the most about Strictly Come Dating is what the story is about – the themes and messages that the story conveys and does it well:
It's a story about finding that person who is not exactly like you, but that compliments you and brings out your best self.
Maggie was married to a man just as structured and societally-conscious as she is. They fell in love with those parts in each other that was most like themselves until the passion turned into a confining, unfulfilling shadow of what it once was, and then it was over. Maggie found herself a single mother of two precious little girls who mean more to her than life itself. Then in walks, Seb, literally into the weekly get together of Strictly Come Dancing fans. He is impulsive, carefree, late to everything, never prepared, and almost 11 years younger than Maggie. Not to mention, he is her best friend's younger brother. Maggie has many reasons not to give him a second glance.
It's an age story just being a number.
Maggie is 37 (close to 38), and Seb is 27. They are at different places in their life. Maggie is a respected doctor, and Seb…well, Seb, is still trying to figure out who he wants to be when he grows up. A relationship between the two of them could never work. What will people say? The only thing is, Seb could care less about all of that. There is a special something about Maggie that transcends beyond age and dignity. Through the course of the story, Maggie learns to accept that age truly is just a number and that if it's okay for men to date someone much younger, it is okay for women to also.
It's about not letting go of your passions.
Dance brings Seb and Maggie together. First through a dance competition television show that Seb loves to mock and Maggie loves to watch. Wishing it was her on the dance floor, her passion leads to actual dance classes and a local dance competition to raise money for a community program for children. Seb makes sure he makes all of Maggie's dance dreams come true, as he can see the spark that it causes in her and wants her to live out her dreams, even if it means he will look silly in the process. That is all part of the fun and charm of the story.
It's about not being afraid to live life to it's fullest.
Ultimately both Maggie and Seb learn to live life to its fullest potential. Their relationship and love help pull Maggie out of her shell while providing a sense of direction for Seb. They each had different lessons to learn, but through their love for one another, they found their path to happiness.
Technically, the story checks all the boxes. The dialogue flows naturally, and the characters are delightfully flawed and endearing. Maggie's daughters, Penny and Tabby, are too adorable for words. At times, Maggie's and Seb's constant misreading of each other becomes tiresome, but all-in-all, Strictly Come Dating was an enjoyable read for me.
To Read or Not to Read
Strictly Come Dating is a cute, light read that is as steamy as a rumba dance and is a beautiful reminder of all that is essential in life.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
What I Liked
What I liked the most about Strictly Come Dating is what the story is about – the themes and messages that the story conveys and does it well:
It's a story about finding that person who is not exactly like you, but that compliments you and brings out your best self.
Maggie was married to a man just as structured and societally-conscious as she is. They fell in love with those parts in each other that was most like themselves until the passion turned into a confining, unfulfilling shadow of what it once was, and then it was over. Maggie found herself a single mother of two precious little girls who mean more to her than life itself. Then in walks, Seb, literally into the weekly get together of Strictly Come Dancing fans. He is impulsive, carefree, late to everything, never prepared, and almost 11 years younger than Maggie. Not to mention, he is her best friend's younger brother. Maggie has many reasons not to give him a second glance.
It's an age story just being a number.
Maggie is 37 (close to 38), and Seb is 27. They are at different places in their life. Maggie is a respected doctor, and Seb…well, Seb, is still trying to figure out who he wants to be when he grows up. A relationship between the two of them could never work. What will people say? The only thing is, Seb could care less about all of that. There is a special something about Maggie that transcends beyond age and dignity. Through the course of the story, Maggie learns to accept that age truly is just a number and that if it's okay for men to date someone much younger, it is okay for women to also.
It's about not letting go of your passions.
Dance brings Seb and Maggie together. First through a dance competition television show that Seb loves to mock and Maggie loves to watch. Wishing it was her on the dance floor, her passion leads to actual dance classes and a local dance competition to raise money for a community program for children. Seb makes sure he makes all of Maggie's dance dreams come true, as he can see the spark that it causes in her and wants her to live out her dreams, even if it means he will look silly in the process. That is all part of the fun and charm of the story.
It's about not being afraid to live life to it's fullest.
Ultimately both Maggie and Seb learn to live life to its fullest potential. Their relationship and love help pull Maggie out of her shell while providing a sense of direction for Seb. They each had different lessons to learn, but through their love for one another, they found their path to happiness.
Technically, the story checks all the boxes. The dialogue flows naturally, and the characters are delightfully flawed and endearing. Maggie's daughters, Penny and Tabby, are too adorable for words. At times, Maggie's and Seb's constant misreading of each other becomes tiresome, but all-in-all, Strictly Come Dating was an enjoyable read for me.
To Read or Not to Read
Strictly Come Dating is a cute, light read that is as steamy as a rumba dance and is a beautiful reminder of all that is essential in life.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
onebookmore's review
4.0
I was so excited to win Strictly Come Dating in the Love in Lockdown Giveaway by Harper Collins! The story follows Maggie as she finds herself and learns to love again. Maggie’s guilty pleasure is watching the show Strictly Come Dancing, which she watches with her best friends and the kids every week. When her friend’s younger brother watches with them one Saturday night, everything changes. They are instantly attracted to each other, but will their ten-year age difference and different lifestyles prevent them from being together?
Maggie, with encouragement from her friends, joins dance classes again. And when Seb becomes her partner, Maggie learns more than just dancing. She realized that Seb is more than the goofy, good-looking younger brother of her friend. He is fun and caring and generous and not what Maggie expected.
I love Maggie! A responsible, loving, and dedicated single mother and doctor who has been burned by love, Maggie likes to be in control. She is super organized and a bit insecure after the constant berating of her ex-husband. She is such a relatable and realistic woman who reminded me of one of my friends. Seb is very different from Maggie. A fun-loving and care-free man, Seb lives in the moment and is more impulsive. Much like Maggie, he is also very family-oriented, awesome with kids, and has a big heart.
The slow-building romance between Maggie and Seb is so sweet! They didn’t rush into a relationship, which I liked, especially considering there are kids involved, and they really got to know each other before jumping into anything. I also like that they don’t try to change each other. Maggie’s ex-husband squelched her identity and mocked her interests. I like how supportive and accepting Seb is. He gives her that confidence that her ex took from her, especially when he becomes her dance partner!
This is a sweet story with a slow-building and charming romance. I love the themes of friendship, family, and embracing life. Thanks so much to Harper Collins, NetGalley, and the author for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
Maggie, with encouragement from her friends, joins dance classes again. And when Seb becomes her partner, Maggie learns more than just dancing. She realized that Seb is more than the goofy, good-looking younger brother of her friend. He is fun and caring and generous and not what Maggie expected.
I love Maggie! A responsible, loving, and dedicated single mother and doctor who has been burned by love, Maggie likes to be in control. She is super organized and a bit insecure after the constant berating of her ex-husband. She is such a relatable and realistic woman who reminded me of one of my friends. Seb is very different from Maggie. A fun-loving and care-free man, Seb lives in the moment and is more impulsive. Much like Maggie, he is also very family-oriented, awesome with kids, and has a big heart.
The slow-building romance between Maggie and Seb is so sweet! They didn’t rush into a relationship, which I liked, especially considering there are kids involved, and they really got to know each other before jumping into anything. I also like that they don’t try to change each other. Maggie’s ex-husband squelched her identity and mocked her interests. I like how supportive and accepting Seb is. He gives her that confidence that her ex took from her, especially when he becomes her dance partner!
This is a sweet story with a slow-building and charming romance. I love the themes of friendship, family, and embracing life. Thanks so much to Harper Collins, NetGalley, and the author for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
bananatricky's review
3.0
Maggie is a 37 year old divorced mother of two, a doctor, and (naturally) super-organised, she lives and dies by her to-do lists.
Seb is Maggie's best friends' younger brother. He's single and carefree, only returned to the UK from his worldwide travels because of his father's heart-attack, living with his sister Sarah.
Every Saturday night Maggie and her BFFs: Hannah (the nanny); Sarah and her twin sister Alice meet at one of their houses with the children and pizza to watch that staple of early Saturday night entertainment, Strictly Come Dancing. Maggie has always loved dancing and longed to visit Blackpool, that mecca for ballroom dancers, but her ex-husband Paul said it was tacky.
Egged on by her friends, Maggie joins a ballroom dancing class on Wednesday evening, but sadly the only males on offer are short and bald. Then Seb steps up to the rescue.
This is a very low-key gentle romance, centred on Maggie and her two daughters, the dance lessons, Seb and his volunteering at a local youth centre, and Saturday night Strictly. I did enjoy it but I also wanted something more to happen, some interaction outside of the small group of characters, even some insight into Maggie's work as a GP. Heck, Hannah just seemed to be a plot device because we barely saw her working as a nanny to the children. If I say all the characters other than Maggie and Seb (and maybe Maggie's children) were sort of out-of-focus, does that make sense?
I enjoyed Kathryn Freeman's novel [b:The New Guy|52958009|The New Guy|Kathryn Freeman|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1571218491l/52958009._SX50_SY75_.jpg|73790535] and I thought that had more oomph than this one.
Overall, if Strictly is the highlight of your Saturday night and a romance about family is your thing then I think you will love this, I just wanted a bit more edge, some angst, some drama (said in a loud over-emphatic way).
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
Seb is Maggie's best friends' younger brother. He's single and carefree, only returned to the UK from his worldwide travels because of his father's heart-attack, living with his sister Sarah.
Every Saturday night Maggie and her BFFs: Hannah (the nanny); Sarah and her twin sister Alice meet at one of their houses with the children and pizza to watch that staple of early Saturday night entertainment, Strictly Come Dancing. Maggie has always loved dancing and longed to visit Blackpool, that mecca for ballroom dancers, but her ex-husband Paul said it was tacky.
Egged on by her friends, Maggie joins a ballroom dancing class on Wednesday evening, but sadly the only males on offer are short and bald. Then Seb steps up to the rescue.
This is a very low-key gentle romance, centred on Maggie and her two daughters, the dance lessons, Seb and his volunteering at a local youth centre, and Saturday night Strictly. I did enjoy it but I also wanted something more to happen, some interaction outside of the small group of characters, even some insight into Maggie's work as a GP. Heck, Hannah just seemed to be a plot device because we barely saw her working as a nanny to the children. If I say all the characters other than Maggie and Seb (and maybe Maggie's children) were sort of out-of-focus, does that make sense?
I enjoyed Kathryn Freeman's novel [b:The New Guy|52958009|The New Guy|Kathryn Freeman|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1571218491l/52958009._SX50_SY75_.jpg|73790535] and I thought that had more oomph than this one.
Overall, if Strictly is the highlight of your Saturday night and a romance about family is your thing then I think you will love this, I just wanted a bit more edge, some angst, some drama (said in a loud over-emphatic way).
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
mofischy's review
1.75
had to remind myself this book wasn't actually THAT bad, the ending just dragged on for 15 chapters of
Spoiler
two people who are absolutely in a committed relationship convincing themselves that the other person isn't ACTUALLY committed to themalso sick of the "ex is an irredeemable asshole" thing but maybe that's just personal preference
addieyoder's review against another edition
4.0
I have decided that I am a Kathryn Freeman fan. I loved the New Guy and this definitely held up to that standard. I felt such a connection to Maggie and her control freak tendencies. I think that helped me to fall in love with the story even more. The dancing theme felt like such a good reason for them to spend time together and fall in love and I loved the kids. Freeman writes such great relationships, not just between the couple, but between the side characters as well.
solaceinprose's review against another edition
3.0
Thank you to NetGalley and One More Chapter/Harper Collins for the ARC for an honest review.
Strictly Come Dating is about Maggie Peterson, doctor, mom, divorcee, and Strictly Come Dancing fan. She and her friends all get together every Saturday to watch this show. One Saturday, said friends bring their prodigal brother over, Seb, to introduce him to the lot. He is immediately fascinated by Maggie and she's at first just curious and experiencing an attraction to him. Catch is, he's 27 and she's 37.
Maggie is very much type A, likes structure and making plans and sticking to said plans. She's very organized and methodical. Seb is carefree, easy going, lives by the seat of his pants. He just came in from Australia to help with his dad who suffered a heart attack. The likelihood of these two actually getting along and finding any kind of romance is hard to believe at first, but as you keep reading you realize that it just works. They compliment each other very well. Maggie suffers from lack of confidence due to the emotional crap her ex-husband put her through, and while getting closer to Seb and through dance classes, she finds that confidence that she has been lacking. Nothing really strokes the ego than being a 37 year old woman being found attractive by a 27 year old dude who looks like he belongs on Baywatch.
What I wish this book had more of was dancing. Maggie starts a dance class to which Seb joins to "save her" from men who are "boob height", and because of this, he's inspired to come up with a dancing competition as a fundraiser for the youth center he volunteers at. So they begin to dance in earnest and practice all the time. But the dancing is hardly ever described and you really have to use your imagination to see how they move in your head. I'd suggest watching a rumba video and just think about that. Perhaps Freeman didn't want to get too bogged down by the dancing, but that was the main focal point of this book. The dancing, the dancing show, and the dancing competition are pivotal aspects to the plot and we're told about things more than shown. Like we're told that Seb and Maggie looked hot and steamy on stage, but we're never actually shown it.
Besides that minor gripe, this book makes an excellent summer read, despite it being set in the fall/winter. You don't see novels where the main woman is older, by 10 years, than the main guy, and I really enjoyed that. There was barely any conflict and when there was, it resolved in a mature manner. Despite the age difference, this relationship was healthy and positive, and I couldn't help but root for them as a couple.
I would have given this 4 stars, but the author spelled lasagna as 'lasagne' and I can't forgive her for that. It's lasagna. This isn't like adding the letter 'u' to the British spelling of words, this is an actual dish with an actual name. British spelling be damned.
Strictly Come Dating is about Maggie Peterson, doctor, mom, divorcee, and Strictly Come Dancing fan. She and her friends all get together every Saturday to watch this show. One Saturday, said friends bring their prodigal brother over, Seb, to introduce him to the lot. He is immediately fascinated by Maggie and she's at first just curious and experiencing an attraction to him. Catch is, he's 27 and she's 37.
Maggie is very much type A, likes structure and making plans and sticking to said plans. She's very organized and methodical. Seb is carefree, easy going, lives by the seat of his pants. He just came in from Australia to help with his dad who suffered a heart attack. The likelihood of these two actually getting along and finding any kind of romance is hard to believe at first, but as you keep reading you realize that it just works. They compliment each other very well. Maggie suffers from lack of confidence due to the emotional crap her ex-husband put her through, and while getting closer to Seb and through dance classes, she finds that confidence that she has been lacking. Nothing really strokes the ego than being a 37 year old woman being found attractive by a 27 year old dude who looks like he belongs on Baywatch.
What I wish this book had more of was dancing. Maggie starts a dance class to which Seb joins to "save her" from men who are "boob height", and because of this, he's inspired to come up with a dancing competition as a fundraiser for the youth center he volunteers at. So they begin to dance in earnest and practice all the time. But the dancing is hardly ever described and you really have to use your imagination to see how they move in your head. I'd suggest watching a rumba video and just think about that. Perhaps Freeman didn't want to get too bogged down by the dancing, but that was the main focal point of this book. The dancing, the dancing show, and the dancing competition are pivotal aspects to the plot and we're told about things more than shown. Like we're told that Seb and Maggie looked hot and steamy on stage, but we're never actually shown it.
Besides that minor gripe, this book makes an excellent summer read, despite it being set in the fall/winter. You don't see novels where the main woman is older, by 10 years, than the main guy, and I really enjoyed that. There was barely any conflict and when there was, it resolved in a mature manner. Despite the age difference, this relationship was healthy and positive, and I couldn't help but root for them as a couple.
I would have given this 4 stars, but the author spelled lasagna as 'lasagne' and I can't forgive her for that. It's lasagna. This isn't like adding the letter 'u' to the British spelling of words, this is an actual dish with an actual name. British spelling be damned.
ratetheromance's review against another edition
3.0
I thought to myself, "Well, surely I'm almost done with this book!" and when I glanced down I was at 63%. Then I gave up.
Now, why would I give more than 1 star to a DNF? Because the characters are well-written and the book is good—it was just way too slow for ME. I could easily see another reader loving this book and liking the slower pacing.
Now, why would I give more than 1 star to a DNF? Because the characters are well-written and the book is good—it was just way too slow for ME. I could easily see another reader loving this book and liking the slower pacing.